[0001] The present invention generally relates to a threshing and separating device and
a combine harvester comprising the same.
[0002] In a combine harvester, a harvesting device is used to harvest crops, and a threshing
and separating device is used to separate grains from the harvested crops.
DE 32 14 161 C2 disclosed a threshing and separating device with combined tangential and axial flows.
Currently, this kind of threshing and separating device has become a standard configuration
for a large-size harvester which has a feeding rate greater than 7 kg/s. For crops
whose grains are not easy to be separated and whose stalks have a good toughness,
for example, rice, however, damaged grains and blockage are common problems often
experienced in a combine harvester comprising such a threshing and separating device.
The above problems will result in increased power consumption of the combine harvester.
And the above problems become particularly significant in combine harvesters having
a greater feeding rate.
[0003] An object of the present invention is to solve or at least reduce one or more of
the above problems. This is achieved by the threshing and separating device according
to claim 1.
[0004] A design is applied for threshing and separating: a first cylinder and a first concave,
which are mainly used for threshing, are designed to comprise a threshing teeth embedded
into one another so as to increase a combing or threshing effect on crops; an intermediate
feeding device is used to convey the crops backwards; and at least one second cylinder
(or two second cylinders), which is (or are) mainly used for separating, is configured
to comprise an enclosed cylinder body and teeth arranged along a length of the cylinder
body so that grains and stalks of the crops are separated more completely.
[0005] The threshing and separating device of the present invention comprises: a threshing
mechanism comprising a first cylinder and a first concave located below the first
cylinder; a separating mechanism comprising at least one second cylinder and a second
concave located below the second cylinder; and an intermediate feeding mechanism between
the threshing mechanism and the separating mechanism; the first cylinder is rotatable
about a first rotation axis and comprises a plurality of first rods parallel to the
first rotation axis and uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction of the first
cylinder, and each first rod is provided with a plurality of first threshing teeth
each having a tip, the tips of the first threshing teeth define a first tip circle;
the second cylinder is rotatable about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the
first rotation axis, wherein, the first concave comprises a wire-grate configuration,
and a surface of the first concave facing the first cylinder is provided with no part
protruding into the first tip circle; the second cylinder comprises: a forced feeding
portion located at front end of the second cylinder, and comprising a truncated cone
and helical blades on the truncated cone; and a toothed-rod cylinder portion located
behind the forced feeding portion and comprising a plurality of second rods parallel
to the second rotation axis and uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction
of the toothed-rod cylinder portion, and each second rod is provided with a plurality
of second threshing teeth each having a tip, the tips of the second threshing teeth
define a second tip circle; the second concave has a wire-grate configuration and
is provided with no part protruding into its corresponding second tip circle.
[0006] The first cylinder and first concave are designed so that no structures thereof are
embedded into one another, thus, damage of grains due to a strong combing or threshing
effect can be avoided or reduced. Such a design actually leads to reduction in threshing
effect of the first cylinder and the first concave; in order to compensate for the
reduction in threshing effect and to overcome the problem that the second cylinder
is susceptible to be wound and blocked, a following inventive improvement is made
to the second cylinder in the present invention: a front section of the second cylinder
is provided with the forced feeding portion comprising the helical blades, and a rear
section of second cylinder is provided with an open-type cylinder body comprising
the toothed rods; correspondingly, the second cylinder and the second concave are
also designed so that no structures thereof are embedded into one another. With the
above combination of the respective cylinders and corresponding concaves, the crops
are gently threshed and separated in the whole harvesting process, while giving consideration
to fluency in feeding the crops and reducing power consumption. Experimental results
show that for example when harvesting rice by a large-size harvester at a nominal
feeding rate of 7 kg/s, total loss caused by the harvester with the improved threshing
and separating device is much lower than that caused by harvester with prior threshing
and separating device; even the feeding rate reaches 13 kg/s, the total loss caused
by harvester with the improved threshing and separating device is about 2.5 %, which
is still lower than a standard total loss of 3 %.
[0007] Designs of the second cylinder, particularly of the forced feeding portion, may be
made in accordance with additional features of dependent claims. These designs and
features are provided to ensure the threshing and separating effects of the second
cylinder while achieving optimal feeding fluency.
[0008] Two embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a whole configuration of a threshing and separating device according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a configuration of combined first cylinder and first concave;
Fig. 3 shows a configuration of combined second cylinder and second concave, with
a top plate, a bottom plate and a cover plate being shown in dashing lines;
Fig. 4 specifically shows a configuration of the second cylinder;
Fig. 5 specifically shows a configuration of the cover plate,
Fig. 6 is a side view showing a whole configuration of a threshing and separating
device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view mainly showing a second threshing and separating mechanism;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing combined first cylinder and first concave;
Fig. 9 is a top view showing combined second cylinder and second concave;
Fig. 10 is a side view showing the combined second cylinder and second concave; and
Fig. 11 is a side view showing one of the second cylinders.
[0009] Fig. 1 shows a threshing and separating device according to a first embodiment of
the present invention for processing crops which flow through the device in a direction
from left to right. For understanding the present invention, the left side of Fig.
1 from which the crops are fed is called as a front side, while the right side of
Fig. 1 from which crop stalks are discharged is called as a rear side, and thereby
a fore and aft direction is defined. Generally speaking, the front side is a side
in a travelling direction of the combine harvester comprising the threshing and separating
device.
[0010] The threshing and separating device 10 is provided with a first threshing and separating
mechanism 1 consisted of a first cylinder 11 and a first concave12 at its front part,
a second threshing and separating mechanism 2 mainly consisted of a second cylinder
20 and a second concave 232 at its rear part, and an intermediate feeding mechanism
3 between the first and second threshing and separating mechanisms. Crops, after being
fed into the threshing and separating device 10, are threshed by the first cylinder,
and threshed grains fall through grids of the first concave into a grain collect system
not shown; then, the crops are fed to the second threshing and separating mechanism
2 by the intermediate feeding mechanism 3, the crops are threshed and grains and stalks
are separated from each other along a path in the second threshing and separating
mechanism longer than that in the first threshing and separating mechanism, and the
separated stalks are discharged from the rear side, while the separated grains fall
into the grain collect system not shown.
[0011] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the first cylinder 11 has a first rotation axis
in a horizontal direction, and the first rotation axis is perpendicular to the fore
and aft direction and is often in a right and left direction of a combine harvester
comprising the threshing and separating device. The first cylinder 11 comprises a
plurality of first rods 13, which are parallel to the first rotation axis and uniformly
arranged in a circumferential direction of the first cylinder; and each first rod
13 is provided with a plurality of first threshing teeth 14 each having a tip, all
teeth have same length and their tips define a first cylindrical space, so each tip
defines a first tip circle. Here the first cylindrical space and first tip circle
have same meaning. The first concave 12 is a partial cylinder having a wire-grate
configuration, located below and partially surrounds the first cylinder. A threshing
space is formed between the first cylinder 11 and the first concave 1. In order to
prevent the grains from be damaged due to a strong combing effect applied on the crops,
the first concave 12 of the present invention is configured that it has no part protruding
into the first tip circle; that is, a cylindrical space in which the first cylinder
is rotated is not overlapped with a space where first concave is located.
[0012] The intermediate feeding mechanism 3 is located behind the first threshing and separating
mechanism 1, and comprises an intermediate feeding wheel 32, which comprises a cylindrical
body and a plurality of teeth on the body. When the intermediate feeding wheel is
rotated, the crops are conveyed backwards with movement of these teeth. Alternatively,
the intermediate feeding mechanism 3 is further provided with a roller 31 between
the intermediate feeding wheel 32 and the first cylinder 11.
[0013] The second threshing and separating mechanism 2 is provided behind the intermediate
feeding mechanism, and comprises, as its main parts, a second cylinder 20, a bottom
plate 212 and a second concave 232 located below the second cylinder, and a top plate
211 and a cover plate 231 located above the second cylinder.
[0014] With reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the second cylinder 20 has a second rotation
axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis; the second rotation axis is not within
a horizontal plane, instead, is arranged to be gradually raised from front to back.
The second cylinder 20 may be divided into following portions: a forced feeding portion
21 located at a front end of the second cylinder, a toothed-rod cylinder portion 23
located behind the forced feeding portion, and a discharging portion 25 located behind
the toothed-rod cylinder portion 23.
[0015] As shown in Fig. 4, the forced feeding portion 21 comprises a truncated cone 215
and two helical blades 214 provided on the truncated cone, and the two helical blades
are arranged around the truncated cone 215 and have a phase difference of 180 degrees
on the truncated cone 215. A cover plate 211 and a bottom plate 212 are respectively
provided substantially above and below the forced feeding portion 21, and are engaged
with each other to form a feeding chamber surrounding the forced feeding portion 21.
In order to provide fluency in feeding crops, the bottom plate 212 has a smooth surface
and is provided with no part protruding toward the forced feeding portion; the top
plate 211 also has a substantially smooth surface, and is only provided at it rear
end with a single guide vane 213 protruding toward the forced feeding portion 21,
as shown in Fig. 5. Experimental results show that the single guide vane 213 will
not block flowing of the crops backwards, instead, can guide the crops backwards in
an uniform manner, thereby avoiding blockage and eccentric load on the second cylinder
20 due to non-uniform feeding of the crops.
[0016] The toothed-rod cylinder portion 23 located behind the forced feeding portion 21
comprises a plurality of second rods 233 parallel with each other and uniformly arranged
in a circumferential direction of the toothed-rod cylinder portion, and each second
rod 233 is provided with a plurality of second threshing teeth 234. These second rods
and second threshing teeth are provided to further thresh the crops, and interact
with the cover plate 231 and the second concave 232 during rotating so as to separate
the grains from the crop stalks. The second concave 232 is provided below the second
cylinder 20, and particularly, below the toothed-rod cylinder portion 23; the second
concave 232 has a wire-grate configuration, and is provided with no part protruding
into the second tip circle, similar to the first concave. A cover plate 231 is correspondingly
provided above the second cylinder 20. The cover plate 231 covers the second cylinder
20 from below, and is provided with a plurality of helical guide plates for guiding
the crops backwards.
[0017] In the present invention, many other improvements are made to the forced feeding
portion 21 so that a good feeding performance can be obtained in the forced feeding
portion 21 even if the crops are wet and tough and the feeding rate is great.
[0018] Outer edges of the helical blades 214 on the forced feeding portion 21 together form
an envelope in a form of a cylinder having a constant outer diameter, which is also
called as a helical outer diameter of the helical blades. In the present invention,
the helical outer diameter is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the
second tip circle. In all existing products in which crops are fed by design handbooks
associated therewith, it is required that the helical outer diameter is smaller than
that of the tip circle of the threshing cylinder, that is, a so-called "small cone
head" design is required. The above "large cone head" used in the present invention
does not lead to reduction in feeding performance, on the contrary, shows a better
feeding performance, which can be verified by the experimental results mentioned above.
In addition, in the direction of the second rotation axis, the rear ends of the helical
blades 214 are located more anteriorly than the front end of the second concave 232,
so that the front end of the second concave 232 is located behind the bottom face
of the truncated cone. In other words, an engaging interface between the forced feeding
portion 21 and the toothed-rod cylinder portion 23 is arranged more anteriorly than
that between the bottom plate 212 and the second concave 232. Such an arrangement
enables a more smooth feeding and a better threshing effect. In order to ensure a
sufficient feeding force, sizes of the helical blades 214 are designed to meet following
conditions: higher portions at the front ends of the helical blades have a blade height
which is larger than 20% of the helical outer diameter of the helical blades, for
example, may be set to be 25% of the helical outer diameter; lower portions at the
rear ends of the helical blades have a blade height which is smaller than 15% of the
helical outer diameter of the helical blades, for example, may be set to be 13% of
the helical outer diameter. There are corresponding requirements for the length of
the forced feeding portion 21, and in the present invention, the length of the forced
feeding portion 21 in the direction of the second rotation axis is smaller than 30%
of a length of the whole second cylinder 20, which, in turn, gives consideration to
feeding effect of the forced feeding portion and threshing and separating effects
of the toothed-rod cylinder portion; for example, the length of the forced feeding
portion may be set to be equal to 20% of the length of the whole second cylinder,
which, under the overall design of the present invention, can achieve particularly
perfect combined effects of feeding, threshing and separating.
[0019] A discharging portion 25 is provided at an end of the second cylinder 20 so as to
facilitate discharging crop stalks after threshing and separating. The discharging
portion comprises two or more sheet tail wings 252 which are rotatable to stir up
the crop stalks. These tail wings 252 are welded to a drum 251 and extend in the second
rotation axis, and the drum 251 is rotatable about the second rotation axis as its
rotation axis. In an embodiment of the present invention, a length of the tail wings
252 in the second rotation axis is larger than 12%, for example, equal to 15%, of
the total length of the second cylinder 20.
[0020] The above threshing and separating device can be used in a combine harvester. A typical
combine harvester comprises a travelling device for driving the combine harvester
to move, a harvesting device provided in the front of the combine harvester for harvesting
crops, a conveyer conveying the crops harvested by the harvesting device backwards,
and a threshing and separating device for receiving and processing the crops from
the conveyer. The threshing and separating device of the present invention is applicable
in the above combine harvester.
[0021] Figures 6 to 11 show a second embodiment of the invention. The threshing and separating
device 10 is provided with a first threshing (and separating) mechanism 1 comprising
a first cylinder 11 and a first concave12 at its front part, a second threshing and
separating mechanism 2 mainly consisted of two second cylinders 20 and two second
concaves 232 at its rear part, and an intermediate feeding mechanism 3 between the
first and second threshing and separating mechanisms. Crops, after being fed into
the threshing and separating device 10, are threshed by the first cylinder, and threshed
grains fall through grids of the first concave into a grain collect system which is
not shown; then, the crops are fed to the second threshing and separating mechanism
2 by the intermediate feeding mechanism 3, the crops are threshed and grains and stalks
are separated from each other along a path in the second threshing and separating
mechanism longer than that in the first threshing and separating mechanism, and the
separated stalks are discharged from the rear side, while the separated grains fall
into the grain collect system which is not shown.
[0022] With reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 8, the first cylinder 11 has a first rotation axis
in a horizontal direction, and the first rotation axis is perpendicular to the fore
and aft direction and is often in a right and left direction of a combine harvester
comprising the threshing and separating device. The first cylinder 11 comprises a
plurality of first rods 13, which are parallel to the first rotation axis and uniformly
arranged in a circumferential direction of the first cylinder; each first rod 13 is
provided with a plurality of first threshing teeth 14 each having a tip, all teeth
have same length and their tips define a first cylindrical space, so each tip defines
a first tip circle. Here the first cylindrical space and first tip circle have same
meaning. The first concave 12 is a partial cylinder having a wire-grate configuration,
located below and partially surrounds the first cylinder. A threshing space is formed
between the first cylinder 11 and the first concave 12. In order to prevent the crop
grains from being damaged due to a strong combing or threshing effect applied on the
crops, in the present invention, the first concave 12 is configured so that it has
no part protruding into the first tip circle; that is, a cylindrical space in which
the first cylinder is rotated is not overlapped with a space where first concave is
located.
[0023] The intermediate feeding mechanism 3 is located behind the first threshing and separating
mechanism 1, and comprises an intermediate feeding wheel 32, which comprises a cylindrical
body and a plurality of teeth on the body. When the intermediate feeding wheel is
rotated, the crops are conveyed backwards with movement of these teeth. Alternatively,
the intermediate feeding mechanism 3 is further provided with a roller 31 between
the intermediate feeding wheel 32 and the first cylinder 11.
[0024] With reference to Fig. 11, the second threshing and separating mechanism 2 is provided
behind the intermediate feeding mechanism, and comprises, as its main parts, two second
cylinders 20 having the same size and arranged in parallel, a bottom plate 212 and
two second concaves 232 located below the second cylinders, and a top plate 211 and
two cover plates 231 located above the second cylinders.
[0025] With reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 11, each second cylinder 20 has a second rotation
axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis; the second rotation axis may be arranged
to be gradually raised from front to back. The second cylinder 20 may be divided into
following portions: a forced feeding portion 21 located at a front end of the second
cylinder, a toothed-rod cylinder portion 23 located behind the forced feeding portion,
and a discharging portion 25 located behind the toothed-rod cylinder portion 23.
[0026] As shown, the forced feeding portion 21 comprises a truncated cone 215 and two helical
blades 214 provided on the truncated cone, and the two helical blades are arranged
around the truncated cone 215 and have a phase difference of 180 degrees on the truncated
cone 215. A cover plate 211 and a bottom plate 212 are respectively provided substantially
above and below the forced feeding portion 21, and are engaged with each other to
form a feeding chamber surrounding the forced feeding portion 21. In order to provide
fluency in feeding crops, the bottom plate 212 has a smooth surface and is provided
with no part protruding towards the forced feeding portion; the top plate 211 also
has a substantially smooth surface, thereby the crops can flow smoothly backwards.
[0027] The toothed-rod cylinder portion 23 located behind the forced feeding portion 21
comprises a plurality of second rods 233 parallel with each other and uniformly arranged
in a circumferential direction of the toothed-rod cylinder portion, each second rod
233 is provided with a plurality of second threshing teeth 234. These second rods
and second threshing teeth are provided to further thresh the crops, and interact
with the cover plate 231 and the second concave 232 during rotating so as to separate
the grains from the crop stalks. The second concave 232 is provided below the second
cylinder 20, and particularly, right below the toothed-rod cylinder portion 23; the
second concave 232 has a wire-grate configuration, and is provided with no part protruding
into the second tip circle, which is defined by a tooth tip of a rod, similar to the
first concave. A cover plate 231 is correspondingly provided above each second cylinder
20. The cover plate 231 covers its corresponding second cylinder 20 from below, and
is provided with a plurality of helical guide plates for guiding the crops backwards.
[0028] Outer edges of the helical blades 214 on the forced feeding portion 21 together form
an envelope in a form of a cylinder having a constant outer diameter, which is also
called as a helical outer diameter of the helical blades. In the present invention,
the helical outer diameter is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the
second tip circle. In all existing products in which crops are fed by design handbooks
associated therewith, it is required that the helical outer diameter is smaller than
that of the tip circle of the threshing cylinder, that is, a so-called "small cone
head" design is required. The above "large cone head" used in the present invention
does not lead to reduction in feeding performance, on the contrary, shows a better
feeding performance, which can be verified by the experimental results mentioned above.
In addition, in the direction of the second rotation axis, the rear ends of the helical
blades 214 are located more anteriorly than the front end of the second concave 232,
so that an engaging interface between the forced feeding portion 21 and the toothed-rod
cylinder portion 23 is arranged more anteriorly than that between the bottom plate
212 and the second concave232. Such an arrangement enables a more smooth feeding and
a better threshing effect. In order to ensure a sufficient feeding force, sizes of
the helical blades 214 are designed to meet following conditions: higher portions
at the front ends of the helical blades have a blade height (a height protruding in
a radial direction of the cylinder from a conical surface on which the helical blades
are provided) which is larger than 20% of the helical outer diameter of the helical
blades, for example, may be set to be 25% of the helical outer diameter; lower portions
at the rear ends of the helical blades have a blade height which is smaller than 15%
of the helical outer diameter of the helical blades, for example, may be set to be
13% of the helical outer diameter. There are corresponding requirements for the length
of the forced feeding portion 21, and in the present invention, the length of the
forced feeding portion 21 in the direction of the second rotation axis is smaller
than 30% of a length of the whole second cylinder 20, which, in turn, gives consideration
to feeding effect of the forced feeding portion and threshing and separating effects
of the toothed-rod cylinder portion; for example, the length of the forced feeding
portion may be set to be equal to 20% of the length of the whole second cylinder,
which, under the overall design of the present invention, can achieve particularly
perfect combined effects of feeding, threshing and separating.
[0029] A discharging portion 25 is provided at an end of the second cylinder 20 so as to
facilitate discharging crop stalks after threshing and separating. The discharging
portion comprises two or more sheet tail wings 252 which are rotatable to stir up
the crop stalks. These tail wings 252 are welded to a drum 251 and extend in the second
rotation axis, and the drum 251 is rotatable about the second rotation axis as its
rotation axis. In an embodiment of the present invention, a length of the tail wings
252 in the second rotation axis is larger than 12%, for example, equal to 15%, of
the total length of the second cylinder 20.
1. A threshing and separating device comprising:
a threshing mechanism comprising a first cylinder and a first concave located below
the first cylinder;
a separating mechanism comprising at least one second cylinder and a second concave
located below the second cylinder; and
an intermediate feeding mechanism between the threshing mechanism and the separating
mechanism;
wherein the first cylinder is rotatable about a first rotation axis and comprises
a plurality of first rods parallel to the first rotation axis and uniformly arranged
in a circumferential direction of the first cylinder, and each first rod is provided
with a plurality of first threshing teeth each having a tip defining a first tip circle
and the second cylinder is rotatable about a second rotation axis perpendicular to
the first rotation axis;
characterized in that the first concave comprises a wire-grate configuration, and a surface of the first
concave facing the first cylinder is provided with no part protruding into the first
tip circle;
that the second cylinder comprises a forced feeding portion located at the front end
of the second cylinder, and comprising a truncated cone and helical blades on the
truncated cone; and a toothed-rod cylinder portion located behind the forced feeding
portion with a plurality of second rods parallel to the second rotation axis and uniformly
arranged in a circumferential direction of the toothed-rod cylinder portion, and each
second rod is provided with a plurality of second threshing teeth each having a tip
defining a second tip circle;
and that the second concave has a wire-grate configuration and is provided with no
part protruding into its corresponding second tip circle.
2. The threshing and separating device according to claim 1, comprising a top plate located
above the forced feeding portion and a bottom plate located below the forced feeding
portion, and the top plate and the bottom plate are engaged with each other to form
a feeding chamber surrounding the forced feeding portion; and the bottom plate has
an arc shape partially surrounding the forced feeding portion, is connected with the
second concave, and is provided with no part protruding toward the forced feeding
portion.
3. The threshing and separating device according to claim 1, wherein in the direction
of the second rotation axis, the front end of the second rod is located more anteriorly
than that of its corresponding second concave.
4. The threshing and separating device according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge of
each helical blade has a constant helical outer diameter larger than or equal to a
diameter of the second tip circle.
5. The threshing and separating device according to claim 4, wherein a blade height of
a front end of the helical blade protruding from a surface of the truncated cone is
larger than 20% or 25 % of the helical outer diameter of the helical blade.
6. The threshing and separating device according to claim 4, wherein a blade height of
a rear end of the helical blade protruding from the surface of the truncated cone
is smaller than 15% or 13 % of the helical outer diameter of the helical blade.
7. The threshing and separating device according to claim 1, wherein in a direction of
the second rotation axis, the forced feeding portion has a length smaller than 30%
or 20 % of a length of the second cylinder.
8. The threshing and separating device according to claim 2, wherein the top plate is
provided, at its rear end, with at least one guide vane protruding toward the forced
feeding portion.
9. The threshing and separating device according to claim 1, wherein the second cylinder
is provided, at its end, with at least two sheet tail wings extending in the direction
of the second rotation axis.
10. The threshing and separating device according to claim 9, wherein a length of the
sheet tail wings in the direction of the second rotation axis is larger than 12% or
equal to 15 % of a total length of the second cylinder.
11. The threshing and separating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein
the separating mechanism comprises two second cylinders arranged in parallel and two
second concaves arranged in parallel and perpendicular to the first rotation axis,
each one of the second concaves is arranged below a corresponding one of the second
cylinders, each second cylinder comprises a forced feeding portion located at front
end of the second cylinder and a truncated cone and helical blades on the truncated
cone; and a toothed-rod cylinder portion located behind the forced feeding portion
and comprising a plurality of second rods parallel to the rotation axis of the second
cylinder and uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction of the toothed-rod
cylinder portion, each second rod is provided with a plurality of second threshing
teeth each having a tip defining a second tip circle and each second concave has a
wire-grate configuration and is provided with no part protruding into its corresponding
second tip circle.
12. A combine harvester comprising:
a travelling device for driving the combine harvester to move;
a harvesting device provided in the front of the combine harvester for harvesting
crops;
a conveyer conveying the crops harvested by the harvesting device backwards; and
the threshing and separating device according to claim 1 for receiving and processing
the crops from the conveyer.